We now approach that part of the Thames at which it receives the waters of the river Colne, about two miles above the town of Staines. This river rises in Hertfordshire, not far from St. Albans, and after passing by Watford, becomes the boundary between the counties of Middlesex and Buckingham; continuing its course through Uxbridge to the Thames.

The Thames then flows between Egham and Staines, the former being on the Surrey and the latter on the Middlesex side; Egham is a large village, in the northwest corner of the county of Surrey. It consists of one street, nearly a mile in length. The church, apparently of considerable antiquity, has externally but a mean appearance: it is built of stone, with a modern mixture of brick, and is covered with a white stucco. On the north side of the street is a range of alms-houses, founded in 1706, by Mr. Henry Strode, merchant of London, for six men and six women, who must be sixty years of age, and have been parishioners of Egham twenty years without receiving any parochial relief. The centre of this building, which exhibits an appearance of neatness and comfort, is the residence of a schoolmaster, who has a salary for educating twenty poor boys of Egham. This village furnishes a remarkable instance of the effect which changes in the modes of travelling will often effect in the prosperity of particular places. A topographical writer, in describing Egham as it was a few years ago, says: "This place has many respectable inns, and seems to be in a thriving state, the principal source of its prosperity being derived from its situation as a great thoroughfare from the metropolis to the west and south of the kingdom." This account is no longer true. The communication by railway from VOL. XIX.

London to the south-western parts of England has removed almost the entire stage coach trade from Egham, and caused the closing of many of the inns.

Northward of Egham, between it and the Thames, is Runnymead, which will ever be celebrated in the history of this country as the spot where the assembled barons, in 1215, compelled King John, who had in vain resorted to the most criminal prevarications, to grant what is emphatically denominated Magna Charta, the Great Charter of the liberties of England. Here his assent was extorted; but the treaty is said to have been actually signed on an island in the Thames still called Charter Island, and included in the parish called Wragsbury, in Buckinghamshire. It was suggested some years ago, that a pillar should be erected on this spot, to commemorate an event which has had so marked an effect in the English character and constitution; but we believe that nothing of the kind has been put in execution.

Westward of Egham is an elevation called Cooper's Hill, which has acquired a certain degree of celebrity from a poem of the same name by Sir John Denham. This poem was written about two centuries ago, and appears to be a description of objects seen from the hill, rather than of the hill itself. Cooper's Hill, the professed subject of the poem, is not mentioned by name; neither is any account given of its situation, produce, or history; but, as has been ingeniously observed, it serves, like the stand of a telescope, merely as a convenience for viewing other objects. Dr. Johnson, speaking of this poem, said :—

Cooper's Hill is the work that confers upon Denham the rank and dignity of an original author. He seems to have

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been, at least among us, the author of a species of composition that may be termed local poetry, of which the fundamental subject is some particular landscape, to be poetically described, with the addition of such embellishments as may be supplied by historical retrospection, or incidental meditation. To trace a new species of poetry, has in itself a very high claim to praise; and its praise is yet more, when it is apparently copied by Garth and Pope.

The associations connected with this spot are rendered perennial by the lines of Pope:

Bear me, oh! bear me to sequestered scenes,
To bow'ry mazes and surrounding greens;
To Thames's bank, which fragrant breezes fill,
Or where the Muses sport on Cooper's Hill.
(On Cooper's Hill eternal wreaths shall grow,
While lasts the mountain, or while Thames shall flow.)

I seem through consecrated walks to rove,

I hear soft music die along the grove:
Led by the sound I rove from shade to shade,
By god-like poets venerable made.

Here his first lays majestic Denham sung;

There the last numbers flowed from Cowley's tongue. From Egham we cross the Thames by a bridge to the town of Staines. Staines Bridge is a handsome stone structure, erected in lieu of an earlier iron bridge with a single arch, which was not deemed safe. Staines is a market town, with about two thousand inhabitants. It has been much improved of late years, and consists principally of one wide street, containing some good houses, and terminating at the foot of the bridge. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, and originally erected in 1631 by Inigo Jones, has been recently rebuilt; it is a neat structure, with a square embattled tower; the interior, which is well arranged and handsomely fitted up, contains about three hundred and fifty free sittings. Staines, or Stanes, as it was formerly called, is supposed to have derived its name from the Saxon word stana or stone, because, within its parochial limits, the stone has immemorially stood, which marks the extent of the city of London's western jurisdiction on the Thames. It stands on the banks of the river, at Colneditch, at a small distance from the church. On the upper part of the stone, which is much decayed, is inscribed, "God preserve the city of London, A.D. 1280." This stone was, during the mayoralty of Sir Watkin Lewes, in the year 1781, placed on a new pedestal, whose inscription informs the reader that it was erected exactly over the spot where the old one formerly stood.

This stone marks a boundary, beyond which the conservancy of the Thames passes into other hands; and we take the present opportunity to offer a few explanatory remarks on this subject. There is a homely proverb, that "every body's business is nobody's business;" the truth of which would be soon shown if such a river as the Thames were left without definite arrangements being made for its conservancy. Before the year 1771, the navigation of the river was very imperfect. It was carried on in large barges of two hundred tons burden, drawing four feet water, passing downward by the force of the stream, and upwards by the tractive force of men or horses, walking on the banks. In some cases the barge was pulled along by twelve or fourteen horses, or by a gang of men varying from fifty to eighty. But in the year which we have mentioned, an act of parliament was passed for improving the navigation from the metropolis to Cricklade; and soon afterwards another act vested the jurisdiction of that part of the river between London and Staines in the corporation of the city of London, which has in consequence made considerable improvements, by the construction of towing-paths, locks, and other works. The jurisdiction of the corporation extends from Staines to the Crow-stone, near Southend, including part of the rivers Medway and Lea. It is the office of the lord mayor's deputy, the water-bailiff, to search for, and punish, all persons

who infringe the laws made for the preservation of the river, and its fish; and in order to maintain the rights and privileges of the river, the lord mayor holds a court of conservancy eight times in the year, in the four counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Essex. With regard to the portion of the Thames above Staines, we shall avail ourselves of a pamphlet published a few years ago by Mr. Allunt of Henley. Whether any changes have occurred since then, we do not know; but we shall give the substance of the statement made by him. The upper portion of the Thames, extending from Staines to Lechlade in Gloucestershire, a distance of one hundred and nine miles, is divided into five districts; the first, from Staines Stone, to Boulter's lock, by Windsor and Maidenhead; the second, from thence to Mapledurham lock, by Marlow, Henley, and Reading; the third, thence by Wallingford to Shillingford bridge; the fourth, from thence by Abingdon to Oxford; and the fifth, from Oxford to Lechlade. By various acts of parliament, the management of these districts of the Thames is placed in the hands of disinterested commissioners, consisting of gentlemen of the counties bordering on the river, possessing 100l. a year real, or 30007. personal estate. Six general meetings of these commissioners are annually held, at London, Windsor, Marlow, Reading, Wallingford, and Oxford. Empowered to raise by loans the sum of seventy-five thousand pounds, at an interest of five per cent., they have expended that and the annual surplus of the tolls, in making several pound-locks, mostly a hundred and twenty feet in length, by eighteen in width; and also in short side-cuts, situated in places where the river was formerly penned up for the purpose of working mills, or for fishing. Considerable sums have also been expended in making a convenient horse-towing path along the whole navigation, in ballasting the channel where necessary, and in other improvements, by which vessels are enabled to navigate without obstruction at the depth of three feet ten inches in all seasons. By these improvements and the judicious regulations adopted by the commissioners, the navigation was rendered to a certain degree safe and expeditious. The supply of water is generally abundant, from the many tributary streams flowing into the Thames. Barges usually go down the river at the rate of from twenty-five to thirtyfive miles a day; and up from twenty to thirty miles. The tolls are three-pence per ton at each pound lock, er six shillings and nine-pence per ton for two hundred and eighteen miles; besides a toll of about two shillings per ton throughout to the weir-owners. The trade in the Thames has been sufficient to yield a sum large enough to keep the works in repair, and to permit a considerable amount to be expended in new works. This account was given before the age of railroads commenced; it is probable that many modifications have been produced in the amount of traffic along the upper course of the Thames.

We now leave Staines, and proceed in our tour down the river. Not far from this town, St. Ann's hill appears in a very conspicuous and elevated situation, offering a picturesque object at various bends of the river. Laleham soon appears in sight; a spot famed for the entertainment it affords to the lovers of angling, The river at Laleham narrows considerably, and abou: the shallows the water is beautifully transparent. Here the tranquillity of the scenery, the various objects per petually gliding on the stream, and groups of cattle from the adjacent meadows drinking at the river, all contribute to form a picturesque assemblage.

From Laleham, the river proceeds in a course nearly due south, for a distance of about three miles, to Chertsey, a pretty market-town on the Surrey side of the river. Chertsey formerly derived consequence from its abbey, which ranked among the more considerable monastic institutions of the country; and possessed

annual revenues valued at the time of the dissolution at about seven hundred pounds. Some of the outer walls are the only remains of this once celebrated edifice. On the site of the abbey, (which once contained the body of Henry the Sixth,) Sir Henry Carew, master of the buck-hounds to Charles the Second, built a handsome mansion, called the Abbey-house. Across the Thames at Chertsey is a bridge of seven arches, built of Purbeck stone, at an expense of about thirteen thousand pounds. The poet Cowley resided in Chertsey some time, and died in what was called the Porch-house. He retired to this quiet spot from disgust, wearied out with the vexatious attendance upon a court, and the fatigues of business. In this retreat he vainly flattered himself with meeting uninterrupted harmony; but the following letter, written by him to Dr. Spratt soon after his arrival at his new abode, speaks of a mind by no means satisfied and at ease.

Chertsey, May 21, 1665.

The first night that I came hither I caught so great a cold, with a defluxion of rheum, as made me keep my chamber ten days. And, two days after, had such a bruise on my ribs with a fall, that I am yet unable to move or turn myself in my bed. This is my personal fortune here to begin with. And, besides, I can get no money from my tenants, and have my meadows eaten up every night by cattle put in by my neighbours. What this signifies, or may come to in time, God knows; if it be ominous, it can end in nothing less than hanging. Another misfortune has been, and stranger than all the rest, that you have broke your word with me, and failed to come.

But we must now leave Cowley and his troubles; and will, in the next paper, proceed on our tour from the town of Chertsey eastward.

GARDEN HERBS.

BASIL.

ACCORDING to fabulous history this plant originated from the death of Ocimus, who first ordained the combats in honour of Pallas, and being killed by Cyclodemas, a famous gladiator, was immediately metamorphosed into the plant which bears his name,

The Greeks called this plant axon on account of quickness with which the seed germinates. In modern botany the term Ocymum is applied to a genus of labiate plants remarkable for the fragrance of their leaves which are used as an ingredient in savoury dishes, for which reason some of the species have been, from time immemorial, very generally cultivated. They are known in our gardens as basils, the name basilium, (from the Greek word for a king,) having been applied to common basil by the monkish writers on plants in allusion to its regal qualities.

Basil is a native of the south of Europe, as well as the East Indies and some parts of Africa: it also grows wild in Persia. There are many varieties, of which Gerard enumerates several. He says:

Great garden basil is of two sorts, differing from one another in bigness. The first hath broad, thick and fat leaves, of a pleasant sweet smell, and of which some are here and there of a blackish red colour, somewhat snipped about the edges, not unlike the leaves of French mercury. The stalk groweth to the height of half a cubit, dividing itself into divers branches, whereupon do stand small and base flowers, sometimes whitish, and often tending to dark purple. The root is thready, and drieth at the approach of

winter.

Citron basil is very like unto the former, but is altogether lesser. The whole plant is of a most odoriferous smell, not unlike the smell of a lemon or citron, whereof it took

his surname,

Bush basil is a low and base plant, having a thready root from which rise up many small and tender stalks, branched into divers arms or boughs, whereupon are placed many little leaves, lesser than those of pennyroyal. The whole plant is of a most pleasing sweet smell.

square, and of a purple colour, set at each joint with two leaves, and out of their bosoms come little branches: the largest leaves are some two inches broad, and some three long, growing upon long stalks, and deeply cut in about dark purple colour, or else spotted with more or less such the edges, being also thick, fat and juicy, and either of a coloured spots. The tops of the branches end in spokie turts of white flowers, with purple veins running alongst them. The seed is round, black and large. The plant perishes every year as soon as it hath perfected the seed.

This harmless and fragrant herb was the object of many superstitious prejudices among the ancients, and of much fierce debate among the old herbalists. The ancients were of opinion that if basil were pounded and put under a stone, it would breed serpents. Instead of putting this marvellous quality to the test, they continued to decry the use of the herb; and when it was transplanted into this country, our herbalists finding the climate too cold for serpents, transformed them into worms and maggots, which, as it is gravely stated, this herb will engender if it be only chewed and put into the

sun.

Chrysippus, two hundred years B.C., condemned basil as being hurtful to the stomach, an enemy to the sight, and a robber of the wits. Diodorus stated, that by eating this herb, cutaneous insects are produced. Hollerus relates, that an Italian by frequently smelling this herb, bred a scorpion in his brain. According to Galen, "basil is hot in the second degree; but it hath adjoined with it a superfluous moisture, by reason whereof it should not be taken inwardly, but being

applied outwardly, it is good to digest or distribute, and to concoct." Galen says further, that basil was eaten by many persons in his time, being corrected with oil and vinegar.

Gerard recommends the juice of basil to be drunk in wine of Chios, or strong sack, as a remedy for the headache. "Mixed with fine meal of parched barley, oil of roses, and vinegar, it is good against inflammations and the sting of venomous beasts. They of Africa do affirm that they who are stung of the scorpion, and have eaten of it, shall feel no pain at all."

Basil leaves a pleasant smell when rubbed with the hand; and it was formerly said that the hand of a fair lady made it thrive. Farmers in the times of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth planted it in pots to offer to their landladies or others who visited the farm. Tusser says:

Fine Basil desireth it may be hir lot

To grow as a gilleflower, trim in a pot:

That ladies and gentiles, for whom you do serve,
May help her as needeth, poore life to preserve.

In our gardens basil is treated as a tender annual, It is raised in the spring in a hot-bed, and turned into a warm border when the summer is so far advanced that frosty nights are no longer to be feared. A slight frost would be instantly fatal to this plant.

The history of basil may be thus briefly summed up. First: The ancients regarded it as a most viruulent and dangerous plant. Secondly,-The old herbalists were divided in opinion. Culpeper says;"Away to Dr. Reason went I, who told me that bazil was an herb of Mars, and under the Scorpion, and perhaps, therefore, called basilicon, and it is no marvel if it carry a kind of virulent quality with it." Gerard agrees with Simeon Zethy that, "the smell of this plant is good for the heart and for the head: that the seed cureth the infirmities of the heart, taketh away sorrowfulness which cometh of melancholy, and maketh a man merry and glad." Thirdly,-Modern botanists regard basil as a simple garden herb, useful to impart flavour to soups

and sauces.

BORAGE.

posed of small bars of steel wire, set as close as possible, so as only just to admit the warp-wires between them, and the swing-frame H, to which it is attached, is balanced and aided in its oscillations by a heavy movable piece of timber 1, resting on pivots on the upper part of the frame.

As the work advances the woven cloth is wound on the lower front roller or beam by moving the beam c round a little, by means of a ratchet wheel at one end, and the connecting lever K. Thus the weaving proceeds, thread after thread of weft being thrown across the warp, the two sets of warp-wires being alternately elevated and depressed.

The shuttles are of two kinds, according to the thickness of the wire employed. In general, the form is that represented at A in the annexed cut (fig. 2,) differing

but little from the linen-weaver's shuttle, as formerly used. It is a kind of thick blunt needle, similar at both ends, and made of box-wood. It is about six inches in length, and has an aperture in the middle for the insertion of a bobbin or pirn. This bobbin is a little cylinder rotating on its axis by means of pivots at the ends, and the wire being wound on the bobbin, the rotation causes it to be given off as wanted by the weaver. When the wire is very thick it does not leave the bobbin with sufficient ease and celerity, and in that case it is wound on a kind of notched stick, represented at B, and then driven across the warp-threads.

Power-loom weaving has been applied to wire-cloth, as well as to fibrous materials, such as linen, cotton, and woollen, but the demand is not sufficiently extensive te render this application of steam power of high importance.

The reader will readily call to mind the many purposes for which twisted wire is applied, under the general name of "wire-work." Of those kinds which are woven, the coarser specimens are used for fences, pheasantries, lanterns, &c., and the finer for flour-dressing machines, paper-mill washers, fine sieves, meat-safes, dish-covers, window-blinds, and a variety of other purposes.

When the meshes are very minute, the fabric is termed wire gauze, a substance which has become interesting since the curious discovery of Sir H. Davy, that such gauze is incapable of permitting the passage of flame.

The experiment may be performed with a piece of wire-gauze, about nine inches square, and of such fineness as to contain about thirty meshes in the square inch. If we bring the gauze gradually down upon the flame of a candle, or of a spirit-lamp, an appearance will be presented as shown in fig. 3. The flame does not pass through the gauze, but only the hot inflammable vapour of the flame, which may be ignited at the upper surface, as shown in fig. 4.

If two pieces of paper be attached, one to each surface of the gauze, and flame be applied below, the under piece will of course be consumed; but the upper piece will remain uninjured by the flame, so long as the wiregauze remains below red-heat. If, instead of paper, we place camphor on the upper surface of the gauze, the camphor will not take fire there; but having melted, will pass through the gauze, and burn on the under surface only. If gunpowder be sprinkled on the gauze, it will not ignite until the wire is hot enough for the purpose, When Lycopodium is projected on flame it instantly breaks out into a blaze; but if this substance be projected on the wire-gauze, it merely blackens, and does not take fire at all.

We see, then, from these experiments, that wire-gauze is a barrier to the progress of combustion, and that it

Fig. 4.

Now since the wire-gauze is formed of a good conducting substance, so much heat is abstracted from the flame, that the vapour which passes through the meshes is not hot enough to appear as flame; but when the gauze is red-hot, sufficient heat passes through to kindle the vapour, and then the flame is both below and above the gauze; in which case the latter only bisects the flame as in fig. 4.

The remarkable property of wire-gauze, was applied by Sir H. Davy to the construction of the miner's safety lamp. Coal-mines are frequently infested with an inflammable compound of hydrogen and carbon called carburetted hydrogen, or by the miners, fire-damp. This gas by mingling with the atmospheric air becomes explosive; so that the means whereby the miner dispelled the darkness of his gloomy workshop often produced his destruction. To remedy the frequent disasters thus occasioned, Sir H. Davy invented a lamp, the flame of which is entirely surrounded by a hollow cylinder of wire-gauze A, (fig 5,) with a double top, carefully fastened, by doubling over, to the brass rim в, which screws on to the lamp c. The whole is protected and rendered portable by the frame and ring D. It is obvious that the flame of the lamp cannot penetrate from within to the surrounding medium, in consequence of the cooling power of the metallic tissue.

Another humane application of wire-gauze was made by the Chevalier Aldini, who applied this substance, together with other badly conducting materials, as a protection against fire. The incombustible parts of dress for covering the body, arms, and legs, he formed out of strong cloth, previously steeped in an alum solution; and the parts intended for the head were made of asbestos. The head-dress was a large cap entirely covering the head down to the neck, with proper apertures for the eyes, nostrils, and mouth. To this dress was superadded a wire-gauze dress consisting of a cap, a cuirass, a covering for the body and thighs; a pair of boots of double wire-gauze, and a shield.

Numerous experiments were made to show the efficacy of these defences in resisting flame. Among many others we may mention those exhibited to a committee of the Academy of Sciences at Paris. Two parallel rows of straw and brushwood, supported by iron frames, were placed three feet apart and extended thirty feet in length